As your canine companion begins to age, you may notice him/her slowing down on walks, a little stiffer getting up from a sitting position, possibly losing weight and even drinking and/or urinating more often. Maybe you have noticed him/her panting even on cool days or coughing when he/she is lying down. He/she may not hear or see as well, and may even appear to sleep more. All of these are fairly typical of an aging dog; however some of them can be signs of age-related disease.

Large breed dogs are quite prone to arthritis, specifically in the hips and sometimes the back if your dog is overweight. Our smaller breeds can get arthritis, but tend to have more problems with their backs (herniated disks) and knees. Although not seen as commonly in dogs as in cats, older dogs can become diabetic or have problems with chronic kidney disease or failure or congestive heart failure. All of these metabolic diseases can be diagnosed with blood work and x-rays.

Heart disease and heart murmurs are also quite common in dogs. Usually heart murmurs are fairly benign, although some can cause more severe problems with the heart, including fluid on the chest. As the heart enlarges form extra work, your dog may begin to cough as the heart puts pressure on the trachea.

As your dogs ages, allow us to help keep your old friend comfortable and healthy. Call Jensen’s Animal Hospital for an appointment today.

Dr. Pamela Graves